When I achieved Level 4 status in 1998, having acquired all the necessary pre-requisites, I would say in all honesty that things didn’t alter tremendously in terms of my coaching practices. For some time after I was really just operating as a Level 3 coach with the occasional advanced trip as a leader. However, circumstances changed in 2003 that lead me to exploring new dimensions within my role as a coach and the opportunity to extend my own sea kayaking skills. In part this was due to returning to North Wales and in part due to a season of work as a coach in the USA. With my passion for coaching, not just guiding, re-ignited I set about looking at how I could do better job all round.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbwyJB_4WTFo0yPyiDNWnfjCwQ0L8jasyU9TL-Z2BAaeTDqH2DaQ-oZ5LuB46K0ylhGma36hheqqMAbSk7-D9mBEUvaS6cqyKl0lyUZ0v0XIEHuUnZFb1O6CpC_3wPwx6NltaXJa5f1VE/s320/Menai+Straits+-+73.jpg)
Considering that all the pieces were in place to attend Level 5 training, I still waited a further year before putting myself forward as my goal was to ensure that I would be working at a good Level 4 standard in practice rather than just having all the ‘right bits’ to turn up.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBQhZw1O1c5cM7NDXBCDW7w0_s90QgqMpsHzndIWk68qRJ2YEEMow8qQI0hrs5AEsX-9dR0A65NbDLU6gM8ak8th1JWzMBnC6FMWitd3QL5p9m0clAB7UOn6wv1gLquOdLMvBwrcm5SSU/s320/Norway.jpg)
Once I had attended the training in October 2004 at Plas y Brenin, I set about working towards achieving the next and possibly the most challenging step in my paddlesports career – obtaining the Level 5 award. I did this by following a number of routes in order to fulfil the agreed action plan with the guidance and support of my good friend and mentor, Nick Cunliffe.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibsnpyrQufQqspXicv2jSE2rRkDReSNeekdnOhTUY1SkVOZ-UbGdvr5hxOLysPNYn6xfogLsXIYU-pL-KRz7UL12g3c61CSLeAR41QDn7D4JjxOwDGuv2IQD3ppvNQoPLSna66ZjjUzXo/s320/seward.jpg)
I am grateful to a number of coaches who have advised me over the duration of my own development. I’ve been privilege enough to watch and be observed by a number of active Level 5’s who have given me the opportunity to work alongside them. I also appreciate the time that Paul and Richard have given to this process as well as previous long term students who for numerous reasons didn’t get this far with me.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKw-17GthDMhAQHcTl1C8AqsvLaot55DTnyYRCV3PV2gRLYwGvGKGdPKxOaq14Hf33e2BgwcJhdiQKzh-TmGv-KMr_EEcnlmvaLsg-MYlPD7xlTdMHxj_cDeSqFKutxniloGvKmC5xJMs/s320/ynys+mon.jpg)
The pathway has by no means been easy. I’ve juggled work and family life to squeeze out every opportunity to enhance my knowledge and practices as a coach. I’ve pursued a number of other disciplines to make certain that there is breadth in what I know about paddlesport as well as remained in tune with sea kayaking developments to ensure a depth of understanding. It’s a costly process both financially and emotionally but I really do feel its been worth the investment. Whatever the outcome I can say with certainty that I know far more now than when I started which has given me the confidence to operate at a much higher level than ever before. This developmental journey has generated a clear philosophy for me which should be evident in my coaching practices and student’s learning process.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2pwJf3sVv5x987q8AhA-Kc_7vsroGWAcsg5hPtaKdgRb5iuba2XPWZVoyVLKhT9zbXQ5qSl7VP6FRBp3R5x_gPoeyNAZwGp_d-HL3MTQssZ36evxXon6XSWUENKxrL1MF9C0SnwEwNSc/s320/Mark.jpg)
.......... I'll let you know how I get on after the assessment has been completed
1 comment:
Good luck, Mark! I wait for the flying colours.
Post a Comment